la'

instead, after he left, I ran to the bathroom, sitting there longer than I realized, perched on the clo

barren on my shoulders. Eric's family had blamed me, and I had judged myself. And now, suddenly, as if fate d

stomach, fingers trembling. For seven months, I had carried a child I hadn't known existed

ths ago, when I confessed to him that I could never conceiv

Because I don't want kids

me believe I was enough. But now? I carried the one

n't afford to cry because crying wouldn't change anyth

lled. Her voice came in

. When I opened the door, Martha's kind face a

hing maternal edge I had always longed for. "I didn't see you

ly. "No thanks, Marth

by table. "That doesn't sound like you. You've barely e

f, my throat suddenly to

. Looking at me more than I wanted her to. "Somethi

I turned my gaze to the floor, unable to look her

t so thick I wanted to take my words back, swallow t

r voice trembled. "You...

n. I told him I couldn't have any, and he was happy about it. He married me, knowing that I couldn't bear children.

to yourself. That's still your child. A living piece of you. A miracl

ilt this life, my company, this marriage with Cole. He trusts me, he believes in me. If he

love, true love, doesn't shatter that easily. He deserve

, Martha. That truth will destroy us. I know it. I feel it. I can't..." I let out a stran

elieved you could never conceive. And yet here this little one is, fighting to live inside you. Maybe, just maybe, this is G

Please don't say that. You don't know what y

his child away, you will regret it for the rest of your life. More

hundered i

think about it. Regardless of everything I've

just then, my phone buzzed on the table, interrupting me

you going to answer? Or would

. My throat tightened as I slowly p

in a cautious an

er end was silent for

el

froze. I recogn

My breat

wered. "I'm so happy y

d. "Why are you calling me?

have my ways. You sho

outh to speak

know, Bella. I know ab

wide, worried eyes. I pressed my free hand agains

whispered. 'You do

months, isn't it? Seven months pregna

I leaned against the wa

u, Bella," he interrup

stood frozen, phone st

through faintly. "Bel

r. Was my world alre